Question

the Bluestocking

Accepted Answer

this term for a woman of pronounced literary or intellectual interests gained currency in the 1750s, when Elizabeth montage held assemblies at her home to which literary and ingenious figures were invited
Hannah More, Fanny Burney, Hester Chapone and Horace Walpole
the name is because of one the the male member of group who wore blue stock
the term also come to mean a female pedant فضل فروش

bluestocking is an educated, intellectual woman, originally a member of the 18th-century Blue Stockings Society led by the hostess and critic Elizabeth Montagu (1720–1800), the "Queen of the Blues", including Elizabeth Vesey (1715–91), Hester Chapone (1727–1801) and the classicist Elizabeth Carter (1717–1806). In the following generation came Hester Lynch Piozzi (1741–1821), Hannah More (1745–1833) and Frances Burney (1752–1840).[1]

Until the late 18th century, the term had referred to learned people of both sexes.[2] It was later applied primarily to intellectual women and the French equivalent bas bleu had a similar connotation.[3] The term later developed negative implications and in some instances such women were stereotyped as being "frumpy".[citation needed] The reference to blue stockings may arise from the time when woollen worsted stockings were informal dress, in contrast to formal, fashionable black silk stockings.[citation needed] The most frequent such reference is to a man, Benjamin Stillingfleet, who reportedly lacked the formal black stockings, yet participated in the Blue Stockings Society.[4][5]

Term Elizabeth Blue Stockings Intellectual Hester Bluestocking Literary